The Latest Cultivation Techniques and Methods Tutorial for Andrographis paniculata

Andrographis paniculata, also known as Lanhe Lian or Yijianxi, is a plant of the Acanthaceae family. The whole plant is used as medicine and has effects such as clearing heat and detoxifying, reducing inflammation, and reducing swelling and pain. It is commonly cultivated in Fujian, Guangdong, Hainan, Guangxi, and Yunnan in China, and has also been introduced in Jiangsu and Shaanxi. Below, let us take a look at the cultivation techniques for Andrographis paniculata!

Seedling Propagation

1. Seedbed construction: Because Andrographis paniculata seeds are tiny and the seedlings have poor emergence ability, the seedbed soil needs to be deeply plowed 2-3 times and the clods broken up, then beds should be raised. For every 30 sq m of seedbed, apply 200 kg of fully fermented and decomposed manure, mix the manure and soil thoroughly, then level the bed surface.

2. Sowing time: The sowing time for Andrographis paniculata is chosen around Qingming Festival. Before sowing, first soak the seeds in warm water at 40-45°C for 1-2 days (or treat them by mixing with fine sand to scratch the seed coat). When sowing, scoop out the seeds, mix them evenly with plant ash, broadcast them on the seedbed, then scatter a layer of fine soil about 3 mm thick, and immediately spray clear water with a sprayer so that the soil is thoroughly wet.

3. Seedbed management: After sowing, cover with agricultural film, and then cover the agricultural film with a layer of rice straw to keep warm and moist. The sowing rate is preferably 50-60 g per 30 sq m of seedbed (the seedlings cultivated can be used for transplanting 1-2 mu of field). When 50%-70% of the seedbed has sprouted, promptly remove the agricultural film and rice straw clinging to the ground. After emergence, combined with watering, apply dilute manure water once every 7 days to promote rapid growth of the seedlings.

Field Land Preparation

1. Field selection: Before transplanting, choose mountainous or flat land with a soil pH between 5.6-7.4, flat terrain, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, fertile and loose, and convenient for drainage and irrigation as the transplanting field.

2. Apply sufficient base fertilizer: Deeply plow the field, apply 2000 kg of decomposed pig and cattle manure and 20 kg of calcium magnesium phosphate fertilizer per mu as base fertilizer, then rake level and make beds 120-130 cm wide and 15-20 cm high, with 30 cm deep drainage and irrigation ditches opened around the field.

Transplanting and Establishing

1. Transplanting with soil: One month after sowing and raising seedlings for Andrographis paniculata, when the seedlings are 10 cm tall and have 4-5 pairs of true leaves, they can be transplanted to the planting site. One day before transplanting, first irrigate the nursery land thoroughly. Select robust seedlings from the seedbed and transplant them with soil. The row and plant spacing for establishing is about 20×20 cm, with 12,000 plants planted per mu.

2. Seedling management: One week after transplanting the seedlings, a light manure water can be applied once to promote rooting and growth.

Field Management

1. Water management: Andrographis paniculata prefers moisture and fears drought, and is sensitive to water. It should be kept moist frequently, but not overly wet. The key point of seedling-stage management is to keep the bed surface moist. After transplanting, if there is no rain, generally water 1-2 times a day; after the seedlings recover, the ground still needs to be kept moist, watering once every 3-7 days.

2. Reasonable topdressing: The production of Andrographis paniculata requires a large amount of nitrogen fertilizer, so topdressing must be applied at the right time. Generally, topdressing is required 3 times. After the seedlings recover, apply 3000 kg of diluted human manure and urine or 10 kg of urea per mu to promote seedling growth. After that, apply topdressing once every 20-30 days, with 15-20 kg of ammonium sulfate or other nitrogen fertilizer per mu. After the plants close the rows, fertilizer can be applied with irrigation water.

3. Topping and earthing up: Andrographis paniculata is used as medicine from the whole plant. When the seedlings are about 30 cm tall, remove the top to promote the growth of side buds; at the same time, combine cultivation with earthing up and weeding to promote the growth of adventitious roots and prevent lodging. If seeds are to be kept, do not top during full bloom, and at the same time remove inflorescences that cannot set fruit and mature.

Pest and Disease Control

1. Damping-off disease occurs at the 1-2 pairs of true leaves stage. Soil moisture can be reduced, soil can be treated with 50% carbendazim, or the affected area can be irrigated with a 1000-fold solution.

2. Seedling blight occurs at the 2-3 pairs of true leaves stage. Temperature can be controlled, attention should be paid to ventilation, and seedbed management should be strengthened.

3. Black stem disease occurs at the adult plant stage. Field management can be strengthened, accumulated water should be drained promptly, continuous cropping should be avoided, and during the disease period, spray or irrigate the affected area with a 1000-fold solution of 50% carbendazim. There are also damage from diseases such as phytophthora blight and viral disease.

4. Pests include cotton bollworm, mole cricket, and others.

Harvesting and Processing

When Andrographis paniculata grows to the flowering and budding stage, it can be harvested. At harvest, use a sickle to cut at 2-3 nodes from the stem base and dry it in the sun.

Andrographis paniculata can be harvested twice a year, with an annual yield per mu of dried product reaching 500-800 kg. The dried Andrographis paniculata product after harvesting and drying is considered superior when it is dry, green in color, has many leaves, and is free of impurities and mildew.